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    • 2006 The SnowCat
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Viewing: Encouragement - View all posts

LONG IN THE TOOTH 

Welp, I just turned 55.  

Now eligible for senior discounts at the diner. 

Damn. The years really sneak up on you, don’t they? 

The recent loss of my father during the navel-gazing of quarantine has only served to amplify this existential angst.  

I get it. Winter is here. But am I ready? 

Fifteen years ago, right around my 40th, I remember feeling something similar about facing the autumn of my years.  

Below is what I wrote at the time.

Perhaps it still holds up. 

ADVICE TO SELF AT MIDLIFE 

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the halfway mark. 

So far, so good. Now consider this: 

You’re old enough now that they no longer praise your potential. All those years of encouragement about your bright future are over. It’s quiet now. 

At the same time, you’re not yet old enough to join the ranks of those you so admire, the wise elders. You’re not yet one of them. You don’t speak for the ages. Few look to you for inspiration or advice. 

These are the middle years. 

Your past accomplishments and your hopes for tomorrow mean nothing. All that matters is what you do now: 

Stay agile. Draw up plans, but be nimble enough to abandon them. Be persistent in fulfilling your vision, but also be ready to shift course based on the changing landscape. Be ever-evolving. 

Take care of yourself. You’re on your own, so be careful. Pace yourself. Cultivate healthy habits. Know your limits. 

Pay attention. It’s now your turn to provide encouragement. Learn to be a mentor. Look for opportunities to serve, celebrate and share.

01/04/2021

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in Jazz, Quotes, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Role Models/Mentors, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Listening, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Bidness, Intention, Advocacy, Simplicity, Humility, Fame & Popularity, Restraint, Resourcefulness, Change, Bill Matheny, Health & Fitness

RESOLUTIONS 2021: The Year of Renewal 

Health 
Drink water. Eat vegetables. Take naps. Pace yourself.  
Cleaner fasts, more colorful feasts, smaller portions. 
Spend more time outdoors: walking, riding, fishing. 
Expand vegetable garden with new crops. 
Get vaccinated as soon as possible. 

Music 
Prepare arrangements for Cascadia studio album. 
Compose Legacy suite showcasing Dad’s poetry. 
Add Patsy Cline material to DMG repertoire. 

Business 
Schedule fourth quarter touring engagements. 
Apply for touring and commissioning grants. 
Launch Cascadia crowdfunding campaign. 
Recruit five more private students. 

Personal 
Collect missing issues of Silver Age Green Lantern. 
Launch a new 30-day challenge each month. 
Publish a memoir blog post every week. 
Invest in home security. 
Practice gratitude.

12/30/2020

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in Pop Culture, Jazz, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Oral History, Role Models/Mentors, Favorites, Dmitri Matheny Group, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Bidness, Intention, Advocacy, Simplicity, Roots, Resourcefulness, Change, Bill Matheny, PNW Life, Health & Fitness

MY IDOL'S IDOL 

Art Farmer talked about Clifford Brown often.  

The two were contemporaries, nearly the same age (born just two years apart), and had played in Lionel Hampton’s band together.  

But Art spoke of Clifford Brown with a quiet reverence.

Art called Brownie "my idol” and had his initials carved into the bell of his own horn for inspiration. 

“Every time I see those initials — C.B. — I’m reminded of what’s possible. I see those initials, and I work harder.” 

Art would rub his thumb over the indentations, shaking his head in disbelief.

He never got over Brown's untimely death, in a car accident, at the age of 25.

“Can you imagine,” Art would ask, “if Cliff was alive today? What he would sound like now? Damn.”

12/13/2020

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in Jazz, Quotes, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Oral History, Role Models/Mentors, ShuHaRi, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Humility, Art Farmer

2020 RESOLUTIONS 

Get up. 

Stay up. 

Move up. 

Barry White is right!

So is James Brown:

12/28/2019

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in Pop Culture, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Listening, Bidness, Intention, Poetry/Song Lyrics, Advocacy, Simplicity, Fame & Popularity, Resourcefulness, Change, Health & Fitness

2019 RESOLUTIONS 

12/26/2018

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in Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Intention, Dreams, Simplicity, Restraint, Resourcefulness, Change, Love, PNW Life, Health & Fitness, Home

EVERYTHING IS NOT YET LOST 

05/04/2018

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in Pop Culture, Quotes, Encouragement, Change

THE HALFWAY POINT 

April 16, 2018

as of today, halfway to my weight loss goal
46 lbs down, 46 more to go

04/16/2018

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in Encouragement, Motivation, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Intention, Superheroes, Health & Fitness

WHO WE ARE 

04/05/2018

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in Art, Pop Culture, Quotes, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Simplicity, Humility

JUST DO IT 

11/08/2016

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in Quotes, Encouragement, Motivation, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Intention, Advocacy, Simplicity, Health & Fitness

THE RULES 

08/27/2016

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in Encouragement, Mindfulness, Simplicity, Restraint, PNW Life, Scout, Sassypants Poutypuss

A FEW THOUGHTS ON JAZZ & COMPETITION 

To my ears, “Jazz Competition” is an oxymoron. 

We’re going to have a contest to see who can be the most vulnerable? The most sensitive or sincere? 

To find out who among us can best lay bare our soul and play from the heart?

Every year on tour I hear dozens of excellent high school groups, all over the country, investing hours of rehearsal time, polishing the same Duke Ellington charts in preparation for the annual Jazz Hunger Games. 

While it’s gratifying to witness Duke’s music being disseminated so widely, I wonder if these young musicians might be better off exploring a larger repertoire of sounds and styles, learning to sight read, listen and improvise.

Of course, there is such a thing as “healthy competition” in the arts. Setting challenges and overcoming them is how we improve.

Competitive, however, is not the correct mindset for quality music-making. This art form is interactive. It’s about listening and openness. Conversation, not competition. ​


Personally, I don’t feel that I’m in competition with other artists. I’m competing with Netflix, spectator sports, video games, social media and all the other distractions that vie for your leisure time, attention and dollars. 

I welcome opportunities to work alongside and learn from my betters. I always try to surround myself with talents greater than my own. Art Farmer said “if you’re the smartest cat in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” 

One time Nicholas Payton dropped by my gig in San Francisco and schooled me on a ballad. It was like a ten-minute graduate seminar on understatement and grace. 

This week I had the opportunity to participate in a tribute to one of my longtime heroes, Tom Harrell, along with Joe Lovano, Kenny Werner, Sean Jones, Johnathan Blake, and several other world class musicians, including the man himself, who has never sounded better. 

Everyone involved was more capable and experienced than I. It was humbling but thrilling. I learned a lot and felt nothing but love and support in the room. There was no vibe. Everyone was there for Mr. Harrell.

Wynton Marsalis says a cutting session is like a debate. And debates have their place, especially in the classroom. But wouldn’t you really rather have a conversation? 

Personally, I think cutting sessions are a drag. Everyone posturing, posing, showing off, going for house. The atmosphere of a cutting session is like a Michael Bay movie full of explosions. I usually end up resenting the audience for enjoying such tripe. 

Here’s a challenge: let’s play lower, softer, slower -- with intensity.

Let’s play more soulfully. 

Let’s just play.

04/10/2016

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in Pop Culture, Jazz, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Role Models/Mentors, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Listening, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Bidness, San Francisco, Intention, Film, Advocacy, Simplicity, Humility, Art Farmer

NOW I KNOW 

01/18/2016

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in Pop Culture, Quotes, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Youth, Intention, Advocacy, Health & Fitness

THE FORCE WILL BE WITH YOU. ALWAYS. 

01/09/2016

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in Pop Culture, Quotes, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Role Models/Mentors, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Mystery, Youth, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Bidness, Intention, Film, Dreams, Fame & Popularity, Resourcefulness, Change, Art Farmer, DM-2045

RAIN DANCE 

01/03/2016

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in Quotes, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Mystery, Bidness, Intention, Advocacy, Simplicity, Rain, Resourcefulness

RESOLUTIONS 


Practice Art Farmer improv method religiously.
Finish writing Jazz Noir material for 2016 recording.
Create and learn fresh DMG sets: 11 tunes, 2 original.
Pay health insurance first every month, no matter what. 
Walk or swim daily. Lose 5 pounds monthly, 60 by year-end.
Increase number of workshops nationally from 54 to 100.
Increase touring income by 20% while playing 20 fewer shows. 
Bump per gig average by 5% and increase total net income by 27%.
Eschew cynicism, laugh often and see the best in people.
When the time is right, get a dog!

 

 

 

12/31/2014

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in Jazz, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Dmitri Matheny Group, Bidness, Intention, Change, Art Farmer

It's Your Thing 

01/07/2014

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in Jazz, Quotes, Encouragement, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Advocacy

How To 

 

01/05/2014

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in Art, Jazz, Quotes, Encouragement, Mindfulness, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Listening, Intention, Advocacy, Simplicity

Remembering Grant Wolf 

Dmitri Matheny, age 17
1983 NAU Music Camp

Stumbling across this ridiculous photo today (31 years later), I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for GRANT WOLF, who somehow was able to see past the silly clothes and cocky attitude, and steer this kid onto the right path to a beautiful life in music. Wolf was an inspiring teacher and was one of the first adults to take my jazz aspirations seriously. His encouragement was profoundly important to me at a critical time in my development.
I wish he were here so I could thank him.

01/01/2014

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in Jazz, Quotes, Encouragement, Mindfulness, Role Models/Mentors, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Memorabilia, Dmitri Matheny Memoir

Sassy's Spicy Hoppin' John! 

Sassy's Spicy HOPPIN' JOHN is almost ready!

Here at the Maricopa Cabana, Hoppin' John is one of the ways we celebrate the beginning of a New Year. Traditionally served with cornbread and greens (collard greens, mustard greens, chard, kale or cabbage), the main ingredients in this delicious winter dish are black-eyed peas, rice, chopped onion, country bacon (ham hock or fatback), green peppers and spices. Sassy always adds a little Arizona Gunslinger for an extra kick. Enjoy Hoppin' John on New Year's Day for good luck and prosperity throughout the year.

Be sure to eat your fill: the peas represent coins, the greens are cash, and the cornbread, gold!

01/01/2014

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in The Desert, Encouragement, Oral History, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Favorites, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Advocacy, The South, Recipes

The Frugal Flugel Recommends: The Portable Travel Kitchen! 

The Frugal Flugel recommends the portable Travel Kitchen!
Find values online and make your own for less than $85:

1. RDT Travel Bag ($29.95 on Amazon.com)
2. Mini Hot Plate ($19.99 on Casa.com)
3. Portable 1.5 Cup Rice Maker & Warmer ($12.39 from Target)
4. Insulated French Press Coffee & Tea Mug ($.99 on Ebay)
5. Mess Kit ($4.99 on Rothco.com)
6. Flat Pocket Cutlery ($1.49 on Ebay)
7. Electric Kettle ($14.66 from Walmart)
Prepare thrifty meals and healthy snacks on the road.

01/01/2014

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in Encouragement, Bidness, Advocacy, Simplicity, Resourcefulness

Resolutions 

Practice what matters. Make each concert better than the last.
10,000 hours, 1,000 true fans, 100 shows.
Be a citizen of the world. Make friends everywhere.
Strive for authenticity, sincerity, sustainability.
Hustle relentlessly. Be a hard workin' dog. Maintain momentum.
Stick to your guns: don't get a smart phone.
Increase touring income by 50%.
Advance every detail of every show. Twice.
Release the new album, no matter what. Do what it takes.
Stay hydrated, eat right and walk every day.
Forget the other guy. Focus on margins, not market share.
Learn, earn and return. Give back.
Don't neglect the minutia: clean horn, clean house, car in good repair.
See the best in people, but be careful.
Somehow get health insurance.

12/31/2013

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in Quotes, Encouragement, Motivation, Mindfulness, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Dmitri Matheny Memoir, Bidness, Intention, Advocacy, Simplicity, Humility

Keeping Score 

November 25th! Exactly one month from today,
you'll get your 48th chance to finally throw me
that Ultraman themed birthday party.

11/25/2013

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in Pop Culture, Quotes, Encouragement, Mindfulness, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Youth, Superheroes, Japanese Culture

Carpe DM 

11/03/2013

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in Jazz, Quotes, Encouragement, Mindfulness, Dmitri Matheny Quotes, Dmitri Matheny Group, Bidness, Advocacy, Simplicity, Grant & Matheny Duo

Broaden Your Horizons 

09/17/2013

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Disavowed 

09/03/2013

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